British organic study slammed 

There is outrage in New Zealand at a major British study that claims organic food is no better for you than non-organic food.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine say consumers are paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $73 billion in 2007.

A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there is no significant difference.

But critics in New Zealand say the British team minimised some benefits and left out any research published in a foreign language, thereby ignoring a host of contradictory studies.

They say that could help to explain why Kiwis spend roughly $200-$300 million a year shopping organic.

"I think that most of our customers are concerned about chemical exposure and toxic load and that sort of thing," says David Spalter of organic retailer Huckleberry Farms.

He says his store is doing more business despite the recession, even though prices are higher than in conventional supermarkets.

New Zealand's food authority says studies do support some nutritional claims by organic producers in specific cases but it is not yet possible to say that about all organic food.

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